Feeding mechanism for nail, tack, and similar machines



Jan. 5 1926.

A. H. BRIGHAM FEEDING MECHANISM FOR NAIL, TACK, AND SIMILAR MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 5 ,.'1923 Fig.1.

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AHJBTT H.Brighum byMWkW\ ATTy-s.

Jan. 5 1926. V 1,568,719

A. H. BRIGHAM FEEDING MECHANISM FOR NA IL, TACK, AND SIMILAR MACHINES' File Nov. 5. 1925 2 Sheets-Shet 2 Fig.2.

Al berT H. Brighurh WW/1M ATTys.

j Patented JanJS, 1926.

; ALBERT H. BRIGHA'M, or want/IAN, MASSACHUSETTS.

FEEDING MECHANIS FOR NAIL, TACK, AND SIMILAR MACHINES.

Application filed November 5, 1923. 'Serial in. 672,761.

To all tlhOWL- it may concern) Be. it known that I, ALBERT H. BRIGHAM, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Whitman, county of Plymouth, State of Massachusetts, 'haveinvented an Improvement in Feeding Mechanism for Nail, Tack, and Similar Machines, of which the following. description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like characters on the drawing representing like parts. This invention relates to the mechanism employed for feeding plates or strips of sheet'metal to machinesfor making nails,

tasks, and the, like.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and etficient feeding mechanism zwhich shall increase the productive capacity or themachine, improve the quality of the work, eliminate wasteof the plate or strip material and simplify the work of the operator thereby materially reducing the cost of manufacture. i

These and other objects and features of theinvention will appear more fully from i the accompanying description and drawings and will be particularly pointed out in the claims. f

The. drawings illustrate, so far as is nec- ,essar to a disclosure of the invention, a simp e and preferred form of feeding mechanism embodying the invention arranged for use in connection with. a nail or tack making 5 machine/of a familiar type.

In the drawings: 1

"Fig. 1 is a side elevation ofa preferred form of feeding mechanism embodying the invention shown in position with respect to a portion of the nail or tack making ma chine. i

- Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail in side elevation of the carriage and adjoining portion of the feedmechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the-parts in a different position and chiefly in central, vertical, cross section.

Fig. tis a viewin transverse cross section s taken on the line 4-4 of'Fig. 2.

, Fig. 5 is a detail showing the rear end of a plate or strip and a portion of the feeding mechanism in horizontal cross section.

Fig. 6 is a'view in vertical" cross section,

with theplate or'strip removed, taken on the 'line. 6'6 ofFig. 2.

In the ordinary-form of nail or tack making machine a plate or strip of sheet metal which the nails or tacks are cut is of the width of which is somewhat greater than I:

the length of the nails or tacks is fed to the cutting knives of the machine by which V- shaped blanks are severed fromthe plate or strip at each operation and subsequently,

formed by the machine into the nails or tacks; The feeding mechanism is provided with suitable means, usually automatically actuated from the machine, by which after each blank has been severed therefrom the plate or strip, in addition to being moved forwardly, is moved bodily to present the plate or strip in proper position with relation to the line of cut for the next blank to be cut therefrom. .For this purpose various means may be employed. For example, the

plate or strip may be oscillated laterally so as to be fed alternatively from the right and left or it may be rotated intermittently or oscillatedrotarily with theline' of feed 8X tending at an inclination to the cutting mechanism. In any case the cutting mechanism acts to sever from the plate or strip blanks of the required substantially V-shape.

In the form of feeding mechanism illus-.

trated for the purpose of a disclosure of one form of the invention the feeding mechanism is shown as advancing at a fixed 1nclination to the cutting blade and then as acting, after each blank is severed from the plate or strip, to give the plate or str p a half turn in alternating directions all in a'manner well knownand familiar to those skilled in the art.

I The general arrangen'i'ent of the feeding mechanism is shown in 1 of the drawings wherein is shown the upper portion of the lower or bed knife 1. of the nail or tack making machine. The upper surface 2 of the bed knife inclines upwardly to the cutting edge 3. A movable cutter 4, .00- operates with the cutting edge and a suitable stop gauge 5, acts to limit the forward feeding movement of the strip or plate and thus to position the strip or plate preparatory to the cuttin operation.

The plate or strip 6, of sheet metal from a width somewhat greater than the length of the nail or tack blanks and may be of any suitable length.

The plate or strip is supported and fed to the cutting blades through a nose piece 7 secured to the forward end of a guide arm.

This guide arm, in the preferred construc- .An adjustable contact 19 on the rod 19 nail or tack making machine and.

the nose piece in the form of two parallel rods 8 and 9 and terminates atthe rear end in a cylindrical hearing member 10. The construction by which the bearing member is supported and operated to give the oscillating movement of the nose piece is shown as'of a well known and familiar form and specifically forms no part of the present invention. This bearing member 10 is shown as rotarily mounted in a bearing 11 movably secured in a standard 12 whichlin turn is mounted upon a bracket arm 13 secured to a portion 14. rigid with the machine.

The guide arm is given a rotary oscillation in the bearing 11 after each, cutting operation by a familiar type of mechanism. For this purpose a T-shaped lever 15. is fulcrumed on the bracket arm 13 at 16. Flexible bands 17 and 18 are wrapped in opposite directions around and secured to the respective ends of the bearing member 10 and these bands at their opposite ends are secured respectively to the ends of the lever 15. The middle or short arm of the lever 15 is operated by a rod 19 which extends back to some moving portion of the is so arranged that the rod is reciprocated first in one direct-ion and then in the other after each operation of the cutting mechanism.

abuts one side of the lower end of the short arm of the lever 15 and another adjustable stop 19*, shown as the end of a weighted lever, abuts the other side. The reciprocation of the rod 19 thus acts to give rotary oscillations to the guide arm. A foot lever 20 connected to the weighted lever enables the operator to disconnect the rod 19 from the lever 15 and stop the movement or oscillation of the guide arm.

The main body of the nose erably cylindrical and merges at the forward end into a wedge shaped section 21. A flat passage 22 extends centrally and longitudinally through the nose piece and has its mouth opening through the wedge shaped section 21. This passage is slightly larger in dimensions than the strip or plate 6 and as the nose piece is of a substantial length this passage acts to guide the plate or strip accurately as it is fed to the cutting blades. The nose piece may be provided with proections 23 in the rear of its forward end to take the wear during rotation and to assist in supporting the nose piece in proper position on the lower bed knife 1.

A carriage is mounted to slide longitudinally on the guide arm inthe rear of the nose piece and acts to support and feed the plate or strip through the nose piece. In

theronstruction illustrated this carriage is shown as comprising tubular slides 24 and 125titted overthe rods 8 and 9 respectively.

, dh sl d fl i. eig5 a i y Secured tomatic means.

piece 7 is pretat their ends in cross heads 26 and 27 and the forward cross head 27 is preferably pro vided with an upstanding handle 28 by means of which the carriage may be manually operated. This carriage is fed forwardly along the guide arm by any suitable au- For that purpose, in the form illustrated, a flexible connector 29 is shown secured at one end to an eye 30 projecting laterally from the cross head 27 and passing therefrom around a pulley 31 jouri'zalled on a bracket 32 supported laterally from the rear end of the nose piece 7 and extending from this pulley 31 over a pulley 33 journalled on the bracket arm 1?} and extending therefrom around a pulley St on which are hung weights and then extending from the pulley 3i and secured to a fixed support such as the portion 14. Thus it. will be seen that the weights 35 act automatically to teed the carriage forwardly along the guide arm. y

A projector bar 36, herein shown as a cylindrical rod, is mounted rigidly in the carriage in alignment with the center of the that passage 22 ot the nose piece and projects forwardly oi the carriage so that when the carriage is in its most forward position the forward end of the projector bar will enter well within the nose piece passage 22 as shown. for example. in Figure 3. This projector bar is conveniently supported in the cross heads 26 and 27 of the carriage.

A plate support for the rear end of the plate or strip is mounted upon the carriage to move longitudinally of the carriage and is yieldingly and forwardly projected with respect to the carriage. This plate support is shown as comprising a head 37 on a cylindrical shank 38 extending rearwardly from the head. The shank and head are bored out longitudinally to fit over and slide upon the projector bar 36. The shank 38 also fits and slides in a bore in the forward cross head 27 of the carriage. A helical spring 39 is mounted on the projector bar 36 between the rear end of: the shank 38 and the cross head 26 and thus acts normally to project the plate support forwardly with respectto the carriage. A rod 10 connected atits forward end to the shank 38 slides through a bore in the cross head 26 of the carriage and is provided at its rear end with lock nuts 41 threaded thereon and fitting in a recess 42 ot the cross head. Thus the limit of the forward movement of the plate support with respect to the carriage is adjustably determined.

The head 37 of the plate support is recessed at its forward end at 43 to provide av seat for the rear end of the plate or strip 6 and thus hold the plate in proper position in alignment with the flat passage 22 in the nose piece. The front wall of the head 37 igpartially slotted at .44 to provide a guide for the rear end of the strip orfplate 6 as it is pushed into the seat43 in the head.

The noseypiece 7is, provided at'its rear endQWithguiding surfaces which act to direct the forward end of the plate into the flat passage 22. These guiding surfaces are conveniently formed upon an inserting guide membershown generally at 45 as struck up fromv sheet metal and secured in a lateral recess 46 in the rear end of thenose piece. This inserting guide 45 is shown as having a:l1orizontal base 47 and a vertical wall 48 projecting laterally outward from the nose piece. Atthe opposite, side the inserting guide presents averti'cal wall 49 aligned with the end of the passage 22. From the plane of the wall 48 the wall surfaces 50, 51

. and 52 incline forwardly to the boundaries of the passage 22. r a

:VVhen the carriage is retracted by the operator the plate support moves forwardly under the influence of the spring 39 until the projector bar 36 is withdrawn from the recess or seat 43. The operator now slips the plate or strip 6 into place between the plate supportand the nose'piece. The rear end of the plate is pushed through theslot 144 until it drops into the scat 43. The forward end of the plate is slid along on the base 47 of the inserting guide and contacts with the vertical-Wall 49. When new the otherstop surface provided- Thus at each oscillationof the guide arm the plate'or strip is advanced into proper cutting position. 7 1- i As the carriage nears the forward end of its movementjthe head 37 of the plate support engages the rear end of the nose piece or the inserting guide and the conclus'ionof the forward movement of the carriage causes the plate support to yield with respect to the carriage and the forward end of the projector bar 36 to enter the passage 22 and gradually feed or push the rear end ofthe plate or strip well within the-passage 22. When the carriage has reached the limit of its forward movement it is again retracted by the operator and a new plate or strip placed in position between thehead' 37 of the plate support and the inserting guide. When the carriage is again releasedfit again moves forward under the action .of the weights until the forward end of the fresh; plate or, strip enters the passage 22 previously fed. The-feeding movement of the carriage then continues forcing the first plate or strip gradually out through the nose piece and thus enabling it to be cut up Without any substantial amountof waste.

It will thus be seen that .a simplefland efiicient means is provided by this invention for securing the, accurate feeding of the plates or strips to the cutting mechanlsm and for insuring the substantially complete "utilizationlof theplate or strip. I Not only is very --considerable waste eliminated becausethere are no butts left uncut into nail or tack blanks but the high quality of the Work is insured because of the accuracy with which the plateor strip is presented to the cutting mechanism. The work of handling and feeding the strips by the operator is materialy simplified because the plates or stripsdo not have to be supplied so frequently as heretofore, because each is fully utilized, because it is asimple matter to slip the fresh plate or strip into position for feeding, because it is impossible to'po'sition the plate or strip in an irregular or inacand abuts the rear-end of the plate or strip curate manner or-out of alignment :witl'rthe cutting knives and because itis unnecessary to provide, as 1s usual, addltional or substitute plate .or strip holding mechanisms for 'usein the feeding mechanism, The invention thus materially reduces the cost of PI'OCl'LlCtlOILbeCELUSG it is economical 1n oper- ,ation, because less skillful help can be employed by reason of the simplicity of the feeding mechanism andthe mannerin which fresh plates are supplied, because of the savingof tlme' andmaterial dueito the substantially complete utilization of the plates or strips, because of the elimination of waste, f

and because of the uniform length andsiZe of nalls or tacks insured by the accuracy of the feeding operatlon.

* Having thus described the invention. what i is claimed as new, and desire'd to be secured by Letters Patent, is: i r i I 1. A plate feeding mechanislncomprising a guide arm, a nose piece secured to the forward end of the guide arm andhavinga flat passage longitudinally therethrough to guide the plate accurately as it is fed, a carriage mounted to slide on the arm in the rear of the nose piece, the spacebetween the nose piece and the carriage when retracted being laterallyopen to permit the lateral insertion of the plate, means for feeding the carriage forwardly, and means mounted on the carriage to feed: the plate through the nose piece passage on the forwardmove mentof the carriage and to push the rear end of the plate well within the passage upon the conclusion of the forward movement of the carriage. l p

2. A- plate feedlng mechanlsm comprlsmg a guide arm, a nose piece secured to the forward end of the guide arm and having a fiat passage longitudinally therethrough to guide the plate accurately as it is fed, the space between the nose piece and the carriage when retracted being laterally open to permit the lateral insertion of the plate, a carriage mounted to slide on the arm in the rear of the nose piece, means for feeding the carriage forwardly, means mounted on the carriage to receive and support the rear end of the plate in alignment with the nose piece passage, to feed the plate through the passage upon the forward movement of the carriage and to push the rear end of the plate well within the passage upon the conclusion of the forward movement of the carriage.

3. A plate feeding mechanism comprising the construction defined in claim 1 together with guiding surfaces at the rear end of the nose piece acting to direct the forward end of the plate into the passage when inserted laterally between the nose piece and the carriage.

4. A plate feeding mechanism comprising the construction defined in claim 2 together with an inserting guide at the rear end of the nose piece presenting inclined guiding surfaces acting, when the plate is placed in position with its rear end in the receiving and supporting means, to direct the forward end of the plate into the nose piece passage upon the forward movement of the carriage.

A plate -feeding mechanism comprising a guide arm, a nose piece secured to the forward end of the guide arm and having a fiat passage longitudinally therethrough to guide the plate accurately as it is fed, a carriage mounted to slide on the arm in the rear of the nose piece, means for feeding the carriage forwardly, a projector bar mounted on the carriage with its forward end positioned to enter the nose piece passage upon the conclusion of the forward movement of the carriage, a plate support mounted upon and yieldingly and forwardly projected with respect to the carriage and the projector bar and'to receive the rear end of the plate. the said projector bar and plate support acting upon the forward movement of the carriage to feed the plate through the nose piece passage. the said late support yielding with respect'to the carriage and projector bar at the conclusion of the forward movement of the carriage while the projector bar enters the nose piece passage and pushes the rear end of the plate well within the passage.

6. A plate feeding mechanism comprising the construction defined in claim 5 in which the plate support is mounted concentrically of and slides upon the projector liar.

7 A plate feeding mechanism comprising a nose piece having an extended flat passage longitudinally therethrough to guide the plate accurately as it is fed, a guide arm, a carriage mounted to slide on the guide arm in the rear of the nose piece, the space between the nose piece and the carriage when retracted being laterally open to permit the lateral insertion of the plate, means for feeding the carriage forwardly and means mounted on the carriage to feed the plate through the nose piece passage on the forward movement of the carriage.

8. A plate feeding mechanism comprising the construction defined in claim 7 together with means mounted on the carriage acting to push the rear end of the plate well within the passage upon the conclusion of the forward movement of the carriage.

9. A plate feeding mechanism comprising a nose piece having an extended fiat passage longitudinally therethrough to guide the plate accurately as it is fed, a guide arm, a carriage mounted to slide on the guide arm in the rear of the nose piece, the space between the nose piece and the carriage when retracted being laterally open to permit the lateral insertion of the plate, means for feeding the carriage forwardly and means mounted on the carriage to receive and support the rear end of the plate in alignment with the nose piece passage, to feed the plate through the passage upon the forward movement of the carriage and to push the rear end of the plate well within the passage upon the conclusion of the forward movement of the carriage.

10. A plate feeding mechanism comprising a guide arm having two parallel rods, a nose piece secured to the forward ends of the rods of the guide arm and having a fiat passage longitudinally therethrough to guide the plate accurately as it is fed, a carriage having cross heads mounted to slide on the rods of the guide arm. means for feeding the carriage forwardly, a plate support presenting a head provided with a seat to receive the rear end of the plate and a shank mounted to slide longitudinally in the forward cross head, a projector liar mounted in the rear cross head and extending longitudinally through the shank of the. plate support. a spring mounted on the projector har between the rear cross head and the shank of the plate support whereby upon the forward movement of the carriage the projector bar and plate support act to feed the plate through the nose piece passage, the said plate support yielding rearwardly at the conclusion of the forward movement of the carriage while the projector bar enters the nose piece passage and pushes the rear end of the plate well within the passage.

11. A plate feeding mechanism comprising the construction defined in claim 7 together with guiding surfaces at the rear end of the nose piece acting to direct the forward end of the plate into the rear end of ceiving and supporting means, to direct the the extended fiat passage. forward end of the plate into the rear end D 12. A plate feeding mechanism comprisof the extended flat. nose piece passage upon ing the construction defined in claim 7 tothe forward movement of the carriage. p gether with an inserting guide at the rear In testimony whereof, I have signed my end of the nose piece presenting inclined name to this specification.

guiding surfaces acting, when the plate is placed in position with its rear end in the re- ALBERT H. BRIGHAM. 

